One problem with the 32-volt farm radios was that they had the same kind of plug at the end of the power cable as today's 110-volt appliances. This was not really a problem in the days of 32-volt radios (the late 1920s-'30s), however, as the power outlets in farm houses were the same type; the power to these outlets came from wind-powered generators (windmills) that also charged batteries, which supplied power when the wind died down at night or on calm days. The problem is that if someone has one of these 32-volt radios today, if the person did not know the radio was wired for 32 volts, he or she could plug the power cable into a 110-volt AC outlet......and ruin the radio in the blink of an eye, as soon as the set was turned on. I've never seen one of these radios burn up from overvoltage, but I bet it would make a display of sparks and exploding parts
one wouldn't soon forget.